Mouth piercing: the consequences of going with the flow More than a third of oral piercings cause gum recession, a problem that can be worsened by tooth loss To go with the flow or, on the contrary, to make a difference.
It doesn’t matter what the reason is.
The consequences of getting a piercing in your mouth are the same.
According to a study by ‘Dental Traumatology’, lip and tongue piercings cause gingival recession (gum loss) and tooth fractures in more than a third of cases.
A problem that, if not treated, could lead to tooth loss.
The experience of the person who places it, the materials used, the hygiene of the procedure, the aftercare and the time that has passed since its placement are the factors that determine whether an oral piercing goes from being an ornament to a problem.
After placement, inflammation, pain, bleeding, infection or allergic reaction to the material may occur; in addition to difficulty speaking and chewing or alteration of the sense of taste.
But also, a tongue piercing has a higher risk of bleeding given the multitude of blood vessels it contains. “It’s a price I’m willing to pay,” some of you will say.
This is because you still don’t know the consequences of wearing a piercing in your mouth in the medium and long term:
##BULLET##In the medium term.
Abrasions, excessive growth of scar tissue, loss of taste buds (depapillation), fissures, pigmentation or ulcers.
##BULLET##Long term.
Plaque and calculus tend to accumulate in the piercing area.
This causes an increase in bacteria and the consequent inflammation of the surrounding tissues, leading to the appearance of halitosis (bad breath).
In addition, the microtrauma of the piercing on the gum causes it to retract, so the bone that holds the tooth can be affected, thus increasing the chances that it will end up falling out.
It also causes tooth wear and fracture.
If, despite its consequences, you are still convinced to get an oral piercing, at Clínica Cervera we recommend that you, at the very least, consider changing its location and choose a more innocuous and less mobile area of the body.